The National Youth Authority ( NYA) in the Asutifi North district of the Ahafo Region has inaugurated Youth Parliament in Kenyasi to provide the youth with an official platform where young persons learn how to express their views, give constructive criticism, and to participate effectively in the decision making process on various developmental issues at the local level.
The ceremony brought together fifty youth parliamentarians within the district, members of the clergy, Nananom, civil society organizations, youth groups, the press, members of the Asutifi north district Assembly, development partners, grassroots hub, GADeF International and officials of the National Youth Authority.
The Asutifi North district director for the National Youth Authority Kingsley Asante Koranteng said the youth Parliament is a non – partisan concept by the National Youth Authority to provide the youth with a platform to engage with stakeholders on matters of importance to youth development and to hold duty bearers accountable at the district, regional and national levels.
Mr Koranteng urged all the stakeholders in youth development to come onboard to the launching of the youth fund which is a key component of the progress of youth activities and organisation within the district.
” this is a new initiative in the district so I am appealing to individuals and institutions far and near to come to support us financially. This will help us effectively in the realisation of our dreams “. He added.
Inaugurating the Youth Parliament, the regional Accountant for the National Youth Authority Nabila Alhasan said the 2020 youth policy of the authority acknowledges the participation of youth in governance and democracy with the objective of inculcating democratic values and principles for their active participation in decision making.
According to Mr. Nabila, the youth Parliament will promote accountability and transparency among community leaders, heads of government departments and other stakeholders of community development adding, ” it is also a platform for good rapport, social networking among the youth in all levels”.
Mr. Nabila charged the parliamentarians to conduct themselves creditably devoid of personal or group interest since this local initiative is a model for the establishment of West African Youth Parliament and African Youth Parliament by 2030 and 2040 respectively. ” I am encouraging our friends from the media to help in the publicity to enhance the sustainability of this initiative “. He appealed.
The chief executive officer for Global paints Ghana / USA Kwaku Addai who was the special guest for the ceremony lauded the initiative of the NYA and the government for the Youth Parliament which will help the youth to learn how to practice leadership, build consensus, provide support for growing Ghana’s democracy and contributing to the realization for sustainable development goals of Ghana.
According to Mr. Addai, Ghana has been looking for young cadres who will not only be spectators but actors in the spheres of life. Leaders must inspire the youth to live with sustained hope and belief that tomorrow will be a better day.
” This hope for a better future is realisable with young people embracing the value of discipline respect and responsibility. We stand here today to encourage the youth to continuously empower themselves through the acquisition of relevant 21st-century knowledge and skills to guarantee a better future’. He admonished
Mr. Kwaku Addai said from as early as 2000, the United Nations population Fund recognized a shift in the world’s demographic dividend putting at least forty percent of the world’s population to be youth. ” with this, it is an undeniable fact that young people are the heart and body of the present-day world. We cannot in any way afford to sideline the youth in key decision making processes at this present political challenges”. He reiterated.
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